* BatCheck is a small and extremely useful application that monitors the status of the main and backup batteries.
* Unlike other programs that only tell you the status of the batteries when they are in foreground, BatCheck will gauge the battery levels at certain time intervals (1-60 minutes, selectable).
* Normally the program sits in the background using virtually no battery power itself, wakes up when its time for a checking, and goes back to sleep if the batteries are good, without disturbing you or being noticed. If the batteries are not good, the program comes to the foreground and warns you.
* (NEW!) When a warning occurs, just hit Enter, Esc, Space, or any letter keys (a-z), and the program will go back to the background.
* You can select two warning levels for both the main and backup batteries: a 'low' and a 'replace' voltage level. This is particularly useful if you use rechargeable cells where the voltage usually drops fast. By setting a warning level higher than the built-in levels you can avoid accidents caused by sudden battery power loss.
* (NEW!) If you want, you can ask the program not to warn you repeatedly, only once the first time when the main or backup levels reach the low level. Next time it will only warn you if the machine has been switched off then back on, or when they reach the replace level.
* (NEW!) You can ask the program to do a check at every switching on. If you have lots of other startup programs, you can select a delay time for battery check (0-20 seconds), so it will pop up after all the startup programs are done with their jobs.
* You can also ask the program to monitor if the external power is connected or not. This is great if you use your machine plugged-in, and the plug slips out of the machine without being noticed.
* The program will tell you the voltage in 2 decimal values for greater accuracy (e.g. 2.28 Volts).
* Toolbar support.
* (NEW!) The main window can be positioned anywhere on the screen.
* (NEW!) Fully responds to system events, i.e. you can close the program from the task window even when it sleeps.
* (NEW!) Geofox One backup battery has a voltage of 1.5 Volts when new. Therefore, they can now select warning levels as low as 0.8 Volts.
* (NEW!) Help included with the program.
Preferences
or loss caused by error, defect or failure of the software including any loss of any kind.
No guarantee is either offered or implied by the author. Use of this software is entirely at your own risk.
Automatic battery check enabled: If checked, the program checks the batteries at selected intervals (see later). If unchecked, the program only checks the batteries if you switch to the program, or when the machine is switched on (see later).
Only one warning when low battery: If unchecked (default), the program will warn you repeatedly when the main or backup batteries are below the low level (see later). If this bugs you, check this option, and the program will only warn you once the first time when te betteries dro below the low level. It will also warn you again if the machine has been switched off then back on and the level is low. Note, that this does not apply to the replace level. When the main or backup batteries are below replace level, you will be repeatedly warned.
Check if external power is missing: Check this option if you work for long times on external power and you are afraid that the power cord might slip out of the machine without being noticed.
Checking interval: Set the interval of automatic checking, 1-60 minutes.
Check at switching on: Check is you want the program to check the batteries every time you switch on the machine. This also works if the automatic checking has been disabled.
Delayed warning at switching on: If you have lots of startup programs that display something, you can easily miss the battery warnings. By setting a delay (0-20 seconds) you can ask the program to warn you after these startup programs are done with their jobs.
Warning levels (Volts): Here you can fully customise the levels at which you would like to be warned. If you use alkalines, you can leave these levels quite low since these batteries die slowly. However, if you use NiCd or NiMH rechargeables, you might want to choose a relatively high warning level, since these types of batteries tend to exhaust quickly. Note: the preset values are just examples, suggestions, don't rely on them. Test your own batteries, and set values that best fits your needs.
Window X- and Y-position: If you don't like the default position of the main window, enter your preferred values to move it somewhere else.
The use of the program is really simple. Just run it, and it will tell you the current battery status. Set your own preferences. To hide the program press any key or hit the top toolbar button or the background using your pen. The program will go to the background, and will only wake up when its time for a checking. It will not come to the foreground unless the battery levels are low.
Note: if you keep the program in the foreground, the display does not change.
Press CTRL+C or the second toolbar button from the top to test the batteries again and to refresh the display.
BatCheck was extensively tested and appears to have no bugs. However, the author cannot and does not accept any liability for loss caused by error, defect or failure of the software including any loss of any kind. No guarantee is either offered or implied by the author. Use of this software is entirely at your own risk.
BatCheck, including all related program files may not be altered in any way. Reverse Translation is expressly forbidden without written permission of the author.
You may install the software on an unlimited number of machines.
The program is Freeware. You are encouraged to pass the distribution .ZIP file to your friends and colleague.
BatCheck is Copyright
1998 Peter Csutora. All rights reserved.
Features
Thanks to...
* Andrew Giddings for his suggestions and coding advice.
* Otfried Cheong, the author of Systinfo.opx.
* And last but not least thanks to you for trying BatCheck! :-)
Peter Csutora
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Keyboard shortcuts
* CTRL+C: Refresh screen (do a checking).
* CTRL+K: Preferences.
* CTRL+A: Displays the 'About' box.
* CTRL+H: Displays 'Help'.
* CTRL+G, Enter, Esc, any letter keys (a-z): Go to the background.
* CTRL+E: Exit.
Disclaimer & Licence agreement
If you like BatCheck, why not look at my other programs as well? These are:
Encrypt-it!: This award-winning program is the highest security and fastest file encryption utility ever featured on a Psion computer. Marketed through Palmscape (www.palmscape.com). Shareware.
Statistics: A general statistical package. Marketed through Palmscape. Shareware.
Moon: A small program that displays the current phase of the moon as well as next coming events. Freeware.
More programs coming soon to a Psion near you...
Basic operation
Contacting the author
If you have any problems or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact me at:
csutora@usa.net
You can always find the newest version of BatCheck and my other programs at
(.txt)